What Ryder forgot to mention was that he held a secret so explosive that it could shatter both our worlds.

“We aren’t from the same area of Rogers Park I’m guessing, but no I don’t like it. I live with my father and I can’t wait to leave. I’ve been training since the day I turned fifteen. There’s a SEAL training camp in Great Lakes, Illinois and that’s where I’m headed. Then I’ll be property of the navy and allow them to take me wherever that may be as long as it’s away from here.”

I can’t help but sulk.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind going back to LA,” I mutter.

“How old are you anyway?”

“I’m fifteen. And you?”

“I just turned seventeen,” he replies, biting his lower lip again. I wonder if it’s a nervous habit. “Are you going to give me your number?” he asks. He obviously didn’t have self-esteem issues. I look over to my side and I see Amanda practically drooling as she watches us.

“Ah!” He takes a step back as if he’s tripped and holds his hand up to his chest. “I’m wounded. You seriously need to think about it? Well, that’s a first.” He shakes his head.

Oh geez! He must have lots of girlfriends. Leave it up to me to be lusting after a player.

“Well, if that’s a first then you don’t need to worry,” I snap at him, not liking his arrogance. “You must have them waiting in line for you.”

He looks almost bewildered and remains painfully quiet. It makes me feel like I have the upper hand and I like it for once. Maybe I’ve been drooling too much and he senses it. Not happening.

“There’s a line, but it’s your number I want,” he replies with a cocky grin.

“Thomas, I am not that kind of girl,” I answer harshly.

“Halo, I know you aren’t and that’s why I want your number.” His tone is filled with challenge.

As far back as R.C. Stephens can remember she was a sucker for a good romance. Of course there had to be a prince charming even if he ultimately was a dark knight and there had to be a happy ending.

She watched the movie Dirty Dancing way too many times growing up and Jean Claude Van Damme movies too. Go figure!

After years of saying she would write a book one day, she finally put pen to paper and carved out the plot line for what would eventually become the best selling Twisted Series. Now R.C. is just finishing up her seventh book and can’t seem to stop the stories running through her mind. Visit R.C. on her FB page to find out what’s new in her life and what releases she has coming up.